K. Rani (singer)

Her family migrated from Kanpur to South India. Her father, Kishan Singh was a Railway Station Master and was transferred frequently from station to station. This gave Rani an opportunity to become conversant with different languages. At the age of 5 or 6 she got a chance to sing in a stage. She sang on stages where Vyjayanthimala's dance programs were taking place. She sang songs during the dress change-over interludes. One day, during such a program at Raja Annamalai Mandram, music composer C. R. Subburaman was present. He noticed the little girl's talent and introduced her as a playback singer in films.[3]

Rani's first films, in 1951 at age eight, were the Telugu Roopavathi and Tamil Mohana Sundaram and Singari. A year later, she was singing for lead characters in films like Kalyani, Kalyanam Panni Paar, Pelli Chesi Choodu, Dharma Devadhai and Dharma Devadha. Rani's "Antha Bhranthi Yenaa" (Telugu) and "Ellaam Maayai Thaanaa" (Tamil), from 1953's Devadasu, were popular.

She first performed in Sri Lankan cinema for Sujatha in 1953 under the direction of composer Ananda Samarakoon, and contributed to Seda Sulang in 1955 and Sirimali in 1959.[4] Much sought after during the 1950s, Rani had few songs in the early 1960s. She sang Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) songs and recorded Tamil Islamic songs with Nagore E. M. Hanifa.[5]

Tamil Islamic songs with Nagore E. M. Hanifa:

1. "Odhuvom Vaarungal"
2. "Dheenore Niyayama"
3. "Vaazha Vaazha Nalla Vazhigal Undu"
4. "Arul Mevum Aandavare"

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) songs with Hanifa:

1. "Azhaikkindraar Azhaikkindraar Annaa"
2. "Vaazhga Dhraavida Naadu"
3. "Annaa Vaazhgave ... Annai Mozhi Kaatthu Nirkkum"

• List of Malayalam Songs by Singers K Rani